Report: Wilson to run for Domenici’s Senate seat

U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson will run for the Senate seat being vacated by Pete Domenici next year, The Hill is reporting.

Assuming the report is accurate, Wilson is the first candidate the public has learned will run, other than the three lesser-known Democrats who jumped into the race long before news of Domenici’s coming retirement broke on Wednesday. A number of Democrats and Republicans from around the state are considering getting into the race.

The Hill cited “a source familiar with Wilson’s decision” in its report. Wilson’s spokesman told me he had no comment.

The big question now is whether Wilson will face the state’s other GOP representative in the U.S. House, Steve Pearce, in a primary. Pearce’s office has not responded to requests for comment.

Wilson’s decision also throws next year’s First Congressional District race into disarray by making it an open seat.

Wilson is Domenici’s protégé, so the news comes as no surprise. The moderate Republican is a veteran campaigner who has survived tough challenges to win election several times in a Democratic district. She beat former Attorney General Patricia Madrid last year by 861 votes out of more than 211,000.

Since that victory, Wilson has come under attack for her role in the U.S. attorney scandal, and it’s unclear how that might affect her strength. Like Domenici, she’s accused by former U.S. Attorney David Iglesias of pressuring him in October 2006 to speed indictments in a public corruption probe involving high-ranking Democrats to influence voters in the November 2006 election.

Update, 6:05 p.m.

The Politico is reporting that Wilson has sent an e-mail to campaign supporters asking them to appear at her Albuquerque campaign office at 1:30 p.m. Friday for an announcement.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party of New Mexico put out a news release today calling Wilson’s apparent Senate run a futile attempt.

“New Mexicans know that their leaders can do better, which is why they will elect a Democrat to the U.S. Senate next year,” party Chairman Brian Colón said.